Vehicle mounted large bale loading, transporting and unloading system

ABSTRACT

A large bale loading, transporting and unloading method and apparatus including a wheeled vehicle having a flatbed with a longitudinal conveyor and a cross-bed conveyor for unloading bales laterally from the side of the flatbed. A tine carrying frame or bed is movable to a vertical position against a bale stack and bale engaging tines are actuated to hold the bales against the frame. The frame is returned to the horizontal position for either transport or lateral unloading. In one embodiment the longitudinal and cross-bed conveyors and the tine structures are carried on a flatbed beneath the surface thereof. In a second embodiment the longitudinal conveyor and tine structures are mounted on top of the bed. Apparatus is disclosed for selectively cutting off flakes or segments of the bale as it is discharged laterally.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit, under U.S.C. 120 of pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 09/370,359, filed Aug. 9, 1999. Thisapplication is a Divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No.09/370,359, filed Aug. 9, 1999 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 06/095,991 filed Aug. 10, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the handling of large bales ofbulk material such as hay or silage with or without a containing wrap.More particularly, the invention relates to the handling of extremelylarge bales of the type described which are too heavy to be handledmanually, and in particular, large rectangular cross section hay bales.The system includes the pick-up and moving or the loading of such balesonto the bed of a truck or other vehicle and subsequently unloading thebales for distribution as with range or bunk feeding of cattle or thelike.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] In recent years the trend in preserving hay in bales has beentoward increasingly large size bales, far beyond the ability for manualhandling. One approach is the production of large round bales severalfeet in diameter in the form of a layered roll which can then be pastureor range fed to cattle by simply unrolling the bale on the ground. Thefollowing listed patents are illustrative of prior art pick-up andtransport equipment designed specifically for handling large cylindricalbales:

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

[0007] 3,942,666 Pfremmer

[0008] 4,050,598 Schurz

[0009] 4,103,794 Shaw

[0010] 4,376,607 Gibson

[0011] 4,594,041 Hostetler

[0012] 5,288,193 Warburton et al

[0013] 5,333,981 Pronovost et al

[0014] 5,340,259 Flaskey

[0015] This method, however has serious problems of wastage since thecattle foul the hay and use it for bedding. More recently the trend hasbeen toward the formation of large rectangular or square cross sectionbales in the neighborhood of 8 feet in length and having a cross sectionof up to 4×4 feet known as “big bales”. Large bales of this category mayweigh in the neighborhood of 1000 to 2000 pounds per bale, arecumbersome and create a serious handling problem. Such bales normallyrequire some form of mechanized equipment for pickup, transport,stacking and ultimately distributing and feeding. The following listedpatents are illustrative of prior art pick-up and transport equipmentdesigned specifically for handling large rectangular bales:

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

[0017] 4,952,111 Callahan

[0018] 5,690,461 Tilley

[0019] 5,846,046 Warburton

[0020] Although satisfactory equipment has been developed for unloadingand field distribution of layered round bales by simply unrolling, theneed exists for an efficient mechanism for loading, transporting andunloading for distribution and feeding of large square or rectangularbales. Most existing equipment is concerned only with field pick-up andstacking involving such methods as robotic lifting arms, tilt beds suchas shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,229 and 5,542,803 to Tilley et al andDriggs respectively. These devices are not adapted for loading,transporting and feeding from a moving vehicle. Likewise common methodsinvolving front end loaders and fork lifts require several pieces ofequipment and operators and are thus uneconomical and time consuming.The following listed patents are illustrative of prior art pick-up andtransport devices of the front end loader and elevator or fork-lift typeequipment:

[0021] U.S. Pat. No. Patentee

[0022] 4,073,532 Blair

[0023] 4,325,666 Chain et al

[0024] 4,911,596 Fetter

[0025] 5,082,13 Grosz et al

[0026] 5,542,803 Driggs

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0027] The present invention contemplates a truck or other vehicle ortrailer bed mounted mechanism and system for picking up a plurality ofbig bales of the rectangular type from a stack and loading the series ofbales onto a mobile flatbed to be transported to a pasture or a rangefor instance where the bales are to be broken and distributed forfeeding. Alternatively the bales may, of course, be moved from a fieldstack to a stacking/storage area for later pick-up and distribution.

[0028] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention a flatbedvehicle such as a motor truck or trailer is provided with a flatbedsurface which is mounted for pivotal movement from a generallyhorizontal position through at least a 90° arc to a generally verticalposition. A first longitudinally extending endless conveyor such asparallel chains or belts or other mechanism for moving articleslongitudinally on top of the bed is mounted beneath the surface of thebed leaving the flat bed clear except for the movable conveyor elements.A second transverse or cross-bed conveyor, which may be of the samegeneral type, is located forwardly of the longitudinal conveyor adjacentthe front end of the flatbed. The cross-bed conveyor mechanism will alsobe located below the surface of the bed in the same manner as describedfor the longitudinal conveyor, again leaving the generally flat surfaceof the bed free for supporting articles to be transported. This type ofarrangement allows articles, such as the large rectangular balespreviously described, to be placed on the surface of the flatbed andmoved forwardly by operation of the longitudinal conveyor to a positionoverlying the cross-bed conveyor for lateral discharge and distributionas will presently be described. The flatbed is thus equipped, in thehorizontal position, to support and discharge large bales of hay off toone side of the bed for pasture or range feeding. In the verticalposition the flat bed may be positioned against a vertical stack of aplurality of large bales for loading. For this purpose the oppositelateral edges of the flatbed are provided with a plurality of tinestructures which are designed to be selectively engaged with the sidesof the several large bales in the vertical stack while the flatbed is inthe vertical position. The tines are carried on rotatable shafts and aremovable through an arc from a position below the bed surface, viasuitable openings in the bed surface, to the bale engaging positionabove the bed surface. The rotatable tine shafts as well as the mountingand operating means for the shafts are located below the bed surface,again allowing for a free unobstructed bed surface. This mode ofoperation allows the bed to be moved into the vertical position, backedup against a vertical stack of a plurality of large bales, the tinesactuated to engage the bales and then the bed lowered to the horizontalposition for transporting the bales on the flatbed surface.

[0029] The truck bed may be of sufficient length to have an adequateoverhang in back of the rear wheels of the truck so that the bed, in thevertical position, will have its rear edge sufficiently close to groundlevel so as to engage the bottom bale in the stack. Alternatively, withsmaller trucks having shorter beds, a pivotally mounted bed extensionmay be provided so as to be mechanically linked with the bed in thevertical position of the bed. This arrangement will also allow the flatbed to be provided with a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch when used forother purposes. The pivoted bed extension will normally be disposed in avertical position at the end of the flatbed and, when the flatbed ismoved to a vertical position, the extension may be selectively coupledto the vertical bed and move along with the vertical bed to thehorizontal position for loading a stack of bales. The raising andlowering of the truck bed, operation of both the longitudinal andcross-bed conveyors as well as actuation of the bale engaging tines maybe accomplished by hydraulic motor means with provision for remotecontrols from either inside or outside of the cab. It will beunderstood, of course, that alternate motor means such as pneumatic orelectrical motors may be substituted for the hydraulic motor means.

[0030] According to a second embodiment, a flatbed vehicle such as amotor truck or trailer is provided with laterally movable tines carriedon longitudinal rails or on a frame, the rails or frame being pivotedfor vertical movement from a substantially horizontal position to avertical position. The laterally movable rails are equipped with tinestructures designed to selectively engage the sides of several largebales in a vertical stack. The laterally movable rails are mounted forpivotal movement about the horizontal axis such that the distal ends ofthe tine structures extend beyond the truck bed, positioning the tinesto engage each bale of a series of vertically stacked bales resting onthe ground. In addition to the longitudinally extending rails, alongitudinally extending conveyor is mounted so as to pivot from thehorizontal to the vertical position along with the laterally movablegripping rails. The longitudinal conveyor also extends beyond the end ofthe vehicle bed so as to underlie at least a substantial portion of thebottom most bale in the stack being lifted. The movement of the railsand the conveyor from the horizontal position atop the vehicle bed tothe vertical position and the lateral movement of the rails for engagingthe stack of large bales is remotely controlled by hydraulic means. Onceengaged, the gripped bales, rails and conveyor are returned to thehorizontal position atop the truck bed for transport.

[0031] A transverse or cross-bed conveyor is positioned at truck bedlevel forward of the longitudinal conveyor for side unloading of thebales from the truck bed. Once the gripped bales are moved to thehorizontal position, the side rails and gripping tines are laterallydisengaged, allowing the longitudinal conveyor to move the bales forwardon the truck bed with the forward most bale being moved to a positionatop the cross-bed conveyor. Individually operated pushing arms arecarried by the laterally movable rail structure and serve to completethe forward movement of the bales onto the cross-bed conveyor and toalign the bales for unloading. Once the forward most bale is in positionfor unloading and distribution, the baling ties are cut and thecross-bed conveyor is selectively operated to move the bale toward theside edge of the truck for unloading as the truck is moved forward. Thehay may thus be distributed in spaced piles along the course of travelas it flakes off over the side of the truck bed as the bale is movedtransversely. The entire combination of operations described may beaccomplished by a single operator and a single vehicle utilizinghydraulics controlled from either the cab of the vehicle or remotelytherefrom.

[0032] According to another form of the invention, the laterally movablerails are carried by a cross beam at the end of the truck bed with thelongitudinal conveyor being detachably mounted on the same cross beamintermediate the rails. In this embodiment, the bale gripping tines arecarried on longitudinally extending beams demountably attached to therails. For storage purposes, the central conveyor and the tine carryingbeams may be detached from the side rails and the cross bar respectivelyand pivoted together to form an A-frame which may be readily reconnectedfor its intended use.

[0033] In another embodiment, adapted mainly for larger trucks, thelongitudinal conveyor, laterally moving rails and bale engaging beamsmay be mounted on a single pivot axis at the end of the truck bed. Theunitary structure may then be raised and lowered by means of a single ormultiple hydraulic rams pivotally connected between the bottom of thepivoted frame structure and the truck chassis. With this arrangement, upto six 8 foot long 32×32 and 32×48 inch bales or four 45×50 inch balesmay be carried on a single bed.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, a tilt frame structure mounting theconveyor, side rails and bale engaging tines may be detachably mountedas a unit to the rear end of a truck or in the alternative dismountedand carried by such means as a front end loader or forklift. Instead ofutilizing the laterally movable rails described, the gripping tines maybe mounted, one or more on each side of the frame, and connected forgripping movement by a double acting cylinder(s) also carried on thetilt frame. The demountable tilt frame may be either pivoted to the endof the truck bed and raised and lowered by a pivotally mounted hydraulicram extending between the frame and the truck chassis or on a cross beamwhich is itself rotatable around a transverse axis by appropriatelinkage and hydraulic rams.

[0035] In certain situations, such as during freezing weather, when thebale does not naturally flake off, a bale cut-off device may be providedin conjunction with the cross-bed conveyor for more effectivedistribution such as range feeding. A sickle-bar, rotary knife,hydraulic ram shear or other cut-off device may be used to selectivelycut off sections of the bale protruding from the truck bed edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the truck-mounted loading andunloading system with the flatbed in the horizontal hauling position;

[0037]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system with the flatbed in thevertical bale engaging position;

[0038]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the flatbed in thevertical position with the bale engaging tines extending above the levelof the truck bed;

[0039] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the sequence of steps involved in engaging avertical stack of bales and moving the stack to the horizontal haulingposition atop the flatbed;

[0040]FIG. 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed, showing thelongitudinal and cross-bed conveyor mechanisms and tine mounting shaftsbeneath the level of the truck flatbed;

[0041]FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective of a conveyor lug taken at thecircled area in FIG. 7;

[0042]FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view showing the mounting of thetine shafts and the means for connecting a pivotally mounted bedextension to the truck bed in the vertical position;

[0043]FIG. 10 is schematic showing a typical hydraulic control systemfor operating the various components of the system;

[0044]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a truck-mounted loading andunloading system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0045]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the FIG. 11 embodiment showingthe longitudinal conveyor and laterally moving bale gripping structurein the vertical position;

[0046]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the loading mechanism of the FIG.11 embodiment in the vertical gripping position;

[0047]FIG. 14 is a partial end elevational view of the FIG. 11embodiment with parts broken away to show the operation of the laterallymoving rails and the conveyor system;

[0048]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cross-bed conveyor system ofthe FIG. 11 embodiment;

[0049]FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the loading mechanism of theFIG. 11 embodiment in the vertical position;

[0050]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the loading mechanism of theFIG. 11 embodiment in the horizontal loaded position;

[0051]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the FIG. 11 embodiment showing theloaded bales in position on the truck bed;

[0052]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a sickle bar cut-off mechanismmounted on a truck bed;

[0053]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of thecut-off mechanism utilizing a rotatable knife;

[0054]FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of thecut-off mechanism utilizing a ram shear;

[0055]FIG. 22 is a schematic side elevational view showing the demountedconveyor and tine carrying beam members of the FIG. 11 embodimentforming an A-frame for storage;

[0056]FIGS. 23 and 24 are side elevational schematic views illustratinga third embodiment of the loading and unloading system wherein theconveyor and laterally movable gripping rails and tine beams are mountedon a flatbed truck with an hydraulic ram connected between the frameunit and the truck chassis for moving the frame unit from the horizontalto the vertical position; and

[0057]FIGS. 25 and 26 are side elevational schematic views illustratingbale gripping mechanisms designed for alternative connection to the rearend of a truck bed and a tractor-like vehicle such as a forklift or afront end loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a loading, transporting and unloadingsystem according to the present invention as mounted on a flatbed truckwhich includes the usual cab section 1, chassis frame 2 and groundsupport wheels 3. Although the present embodiment is illustratedutilizing a particular flatbed truck, it will be understood that thewheeled vehicle may be of any design or, in the alternative, maycomprise a trailer having a wheel supported chassis or frame. In thepresent embodiment, the truck frame 2 mounts a load carrying flatbedindicated generally at 4 with a load supporting surface 6 usuallyconstructed from steel plating. Typically, the bed 6 will be providedwith side paneling 7 and end panels 8, either integral with the bed orconnected by welding or the like. The bed 6 may be equipped with anyknown configuration of structural bracing including the longitudinallyextending beams 11 as shown in FIG. 9. The beams 11 may be secured tothe underside of the bed structure and will provide a transverse pivotalconnection at the rear of the bed and truck chassis for raising andlowering the bed structure 4 as will presently be described. The bed 4is further provided with a longitudinally extending endless chainconveyor system indicated generally at 12 and a similar endless chaincross-bed conveyor indicated generally at 13. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, thelongitudinally extending conveyor system 12 runs from a point adjacentthe rear edge of the bed 6 forwardly to the cross-bed conveyor 13. Theconveyor 13 extends adjacent the front end of the bed and over thesubstantial width of the bed.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, the chassis frame 2 includes the parallelchassis beams 14 and 16 which are structurally connected to the truckframe. The beams 14 and 16 include upstanding flanges, only one of whichis shown at 17 in FIG. 9, for mounting a pivot pin 18 which connects thechassis beams to the rear end pivot section 19 of the longitudinal bedbeams 11. It will be understood that the hydraulically driven raisingand lowering linkage unit 21 may be any known hydraulic lift mechanismsfor raising and lowering truck beds. The unit 21 will include the mainlift cylinder 22, the operation of which raises and lowers the flatbed 4from the horizontal to the vertical position as shown in a manner wellknown in the art.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, the longitudinal conveyor system 12 includesthe parallel conveyor chains 22 and 23 located beneath the surface ofthe bed 6 with their upper runs being exposed through associatedelongated openings 24 and 26 respectively in the bed surface 6. Each ofthe chains 22 and 23 will include spaced lug structures 27, shown indetail in FIG. 8, for engaging the hay bales for the purpose of movingthe bales forwardly on the bed 6 toward the side distribution cross-bedconveyor 13 in a manner to be described. The conveyor chains 22 and 23in the present embodiment are housed within the channels 11 carried onthe underside of the bed 6 and are driven by means of the hydraulicmotor 28 also mounted on a suitable support structure beneath the bed 6.Both chains 22 and 23 are trained about suitable idler sprockets onforward idler shaft 29 and about drive sprockets carried on the reardrive shaft 31 with the drive shaft 31 being driven by means of thedrive chain 32 connected to the hydraulic motor 28 output shaft. Thehydraulic motor 28 is preferably a reversible hydraulic motor allowingthe conveyor chain to be driven in either direction depending on theneeds of the operator.

[0061]FIG. 7 also illustrates the details of the cross-bed conveyorsystem 13. This system includes two parallel conveyor chains 32 and 33which are mounted beneath the surface of the bed 6 with their upper runsbeing exposed through suitable elongated openings 34 and 36 respectivelyin the bed 6. In the embodiment illustrated, the chains 32 and 33 willbe equipped with cross flights 37 as shown in FIG. 7 in the form ofangle irons or the like which serve to engage the bale bottom to move itlaterally off the side of the bed. Other means such as lugs or the likemay also be used. The chains 32 and 33 are trained about suitablesprockets on the idler shaft 38 and trained about drive sprocketslocated on the drive shaft 39 at the opposite side of the bed. Theconveyor system 13 may be driven by the reversible hydraulic motor 41which is drivingly connected to the shaft 19 via the drive chain 42.Sufficient clearance, by means of openings 43 in the bed 6, will beprovided at each end of the conveyor system 13 to allow for passage ofthe flights 37 and the conveyor chains may be driven in either directionas desired by the operator. As thus far described, with individual andseparate controls for the hydraulically driven longitudinal conveyorsystem and the cross-bed conveyor system, large rectangular objects suchas hay bales carried on the bed in the horizontal position may be movedforwardly and consecutively placed on the cross-bed conveyor 13 fordischarge to one side or the other of the bed.

[0062] As previously explained, the bed 6 is designed to be lifted fromthe horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 through at least a 90° angle bymeans of the lift system 21 to a vertical position such as shown inFIGS. 2-5. In this position the surfaces of a plurality of largerectangular hay bales in a vertical stack may be engaged as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In order to secure the stack of bales to the vertical bedsurface during loading, the bed 6 is provided with a plurality of baleengaging tines along each lateral edge or side area as shown mostclearly in FIGS. 1-3 and 9. For this purpose, each side of the bed isprovided with a plurality of spaced openings 44 along the length of theconveyor chains 22 and 23. Each opening 44 is in the shape of anelongated rectangle so as to allow passage of an associated tinestructure 46, which is movable from a position beneath the surface ofthe bed 6 to a bale engaging position above the bed surface as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 and 9, each tineincludes a bale engaging tip 47 and a curved shank 48 which is fixed onthe associated rotatable shaft 49 mounted beneath the bed as shown inFIG. 7. As will be clear from the illustration in FIG. 7, rotation ofthe two parallel shafts 49 pivots the bale engaging tine structures 46from a position beneath the bed 6 through the openings 44 and into thebale engaging position shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. The shafts 49 will bemounted in any suitable bearing supports beneath the bed 6 and will beoperated by means of hydraulic cylinders 51 and 52 respectively. Thehydraulic rams 51 and 52 are operatively connected through a linkage 53for rotating the shafts 49 so as to actuate the bale engaging tines 46.The hydraulic rams 51 and 52 may be either individually actuated oroperated under a single control for engaging a stack of bales.

[0063] The illustrated embodiment of the flatbed truck vehicle is of thetype wherein the bed overhang is of such dimensions as to provide forthe mounting of a fifth wheel or a gooseneck trailer hitch. In suchinstances the overhang of the bed 6 is not sufficient to allow the lowerend of the bed to effectively engage the bottom bale on the stack withthe bed in the vertical position. In order to compensate for this and toretain the capability of mounting a gooseneck trailer hitch, aselectively engagable conveyor and bale engaging tine structure orextension 53 is mounted on the rear end of the bed. The structure 53comprises a conveyor frame including the laterally spaced channel irons54 and 56 which are connected by a cross beam 57 and have their upperends supported on the drive shaft 31 of the longitudinal conveyor system12. This relationship is shown in FIG. 9 and it will be understood thatthe channel irons 54 and 56 are mounted on suitable bearings (not shown)on the shaft 31 for free rotation. Each distal end of the shaft 31 isprovided with a drive sprocket 58 which rotates with the shaft 31 forthe purpose of providing a simultaneous drive to the conveyor chains 59and 61 of the extension 53. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, thebed 6 is provided with elongated openings in its rear edge toaccommodate the conveyor chains 59 and 61 when the bed is moved to thevertical or stack engaging position. With the bed in the verticalposition, the extension 53 is locked into alignment with the verticalbed by means of the steel slide bars 62, one of which is shown in FIG.9. The slide bars 62 will normally be contained in the channel 63 weldedor otherwise firmly attached to the bed structure such as at the beamsor channels 11 as shown in FIG. 9. With the bed in the verticalposition, the pin 64 is removed allowing the slide bar 62 to dropagainst the stop 66 locking the extension 53 in line with the truck bedand the conveyor system 12.

[0064] The channel irons 54 and 56 are each provided with laterallyextending mounting plates 67 attached thereto by welding or the like formounting bearing blocks 68 for rotatably supporting the shaft 69. Withthe bed in the vertical position, the shaft 69 will be in alignment withthe tine mounting shaft 49 of the bed and may be rotatably coupledthereto by means of a suitable coupling sleeve 71. The sleeve 71 may bemanually locked in place by any suitable locking pin arrangement such asillustrated in FIG. 9. The shaft 69 is thus locked to the shaft 49 forrotational movement therewith. Each shaft 69 is provided with two spacedbale engaging tines 72 and 73 which may be in all respects identical tothe tine structure 46 previously described. With the shafts 69 and 49coupled, the tines on the extension 53 operate in unison with the tineson the bed 6 and serve to engage the bottom bale as shown in FIGS. 5 and6 during the pick-up process. Although the illustrated embodimentutilizes manual means for coupling the conveyor and tine shafts of theextension 53 to the truck bed conveyor system and tine shafts, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that remotely controlled motormeans may be adapted for accomplishing the connection.

[0065]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hydraulic controlsfor operating the various components of the loading, transport andunloading sequence of the system. With the truck bed in the initialhorizontal position as shown in FIG. 1, the lift cylinder 22 will beactuated to raise the bed 6 to the vertical position shown in FIG. 2.The conveyor system and bale engaging tine shaft of the extension 53 arethen coupled to the truck bed as previously described. The truck is thenbacked up against the stack of bales as illustrated in FIG. 4 and thecylinders 51 and 52 are actuated to move the tines 46, 72 and 73 intoengagement with the sides of the bales as illustrated in FIG. 5. Oncethe tines are engaged, the cylinder 22 is actuated to move the bed 6 tothe horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 6. If the bales are to bemoved to a stacking or storage location the tines may remain engaged andthe process steps reversed in order to raise the bed and deposit thestack of bales. If the bales are to be distributed off the side of thebed for pasture feeding, for instance, the cylinders 51 and 52 areretracted to lower the bale engaging tines and the bales are then freeto be conveyed on the surface of the bed 6. The front end bale 74 or topbale on the stack at this time will be resting on top of the cross-bedconveyor 13 ready for unloading. Once the bale ties are broken, thecross-bed conveyor motor 41 may be actuated to move the bale laterallywhich will drop off the edge of the bed in flakes or layers as the truckis moved forwardly to distribute the hay in spaced piles. Once the bale74 has been unloaded, the conveyor motor 48 for the conveyor 12 isactuated to move the next successive bale forward to overlie thecross-bed conveyor 13 and the process is repeated. If it is desired toutilize the flatbed truck for other purposes, the empty bed will beraised to the vertical position and the slide bar 62 returned to itsretracted position. The shaft 69 is then uncoupled from the shaft 49 bysliding the connector 71 out of engagement thus allowing the extension52 to remain in the vertical position as shown in FIG. 1 when the bed 6is moved, by operation of the cylinder 22, to the horizontal position asshown in FIG. 1.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 11-18 and 22, a second embodiment of theloading, transport and unloading system of the present invention isillustrated which is designed to be mounted on a motorized wheeledvehicle such as a flatbed truck having ground wheels 101, cab section102 and a horizontal bed 103. As will presently be described, the bedstructure will be of a specialized design so as to include in thisembodiment, a hydraulically operated pivotally mounted cross beam 104 onthe rear edge thereof for raising and lowering bale engaging beams 106,and longitudinal conveyor indicated generally at 107, about a transversehorizontal axis. A cross-bed conveyor 108 is located at the forward endof the bed.

[0067] As seen most clearly in FIGS. 12-14, the cross beam 104 maycomprise a hollow channel extending substantially the width of the truckbed 103 and located on the back edge thereof. The channel has a bottomwall 109 provided with spaced yokes 111 which are pivotally connected tothe associated bracket extensions 112 welded or otherwise connected tothe back face of the bed 103 as shown in FIG. 13. This pivotalrelationship allows the beam 104 to pivot about a horizontal axis fromits upright position shown in FIG. 11 through at least 90° to theposition shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Any form of operating linkage,indicated generally at 113 in FIG. 13, connected to a conventionalhydraulic ram (not shown) beneath the bed 103 may be used to pivot thecross beam through the 90° plus angle. Such linkages are known in theart, one such linkage being shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,041 toHostetler.

[0068] As will be noted in FIGS. 13 and 14, the ends of the hollow beam104 are open and the top wall 114 thereof opposite the wall 109 hascutaway end sections 116 and 117 respectively which allow for lateralmovement of mounting brackets 118 and 119 respectively for a purpose tobe described. The brackets 118 and 119 are each connected to arespective hydraulic ram, one ram only being shown at 121 in FIG. 14.The associated bracket may be connected directly to the piston rod 122of the ram 121 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of the end brackets 118and 119 is rigidly connected to an elongated rail 123 and 124respectively with each of the rails extending forwardly from thebrackets when in the horizontal position as shown in FIGS. 11, 17 and18. These rails extend substantially vertically when the cross beam 104is pivoted through an approximate 90° arc as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.Additionally, by operation of the two rams 121 on either side of thecross beam 104, the rails 123 and 124 may be selectively moved inwardlyand outwardly in lateral motion.

[0069] Elongated gripping beams 106 are carried on the rails 123 and 124and may be rigidly connected thereto by bolting or welding so as to berigid with the rails. The beams 106 extend rearwardly beyond the ends ofthe associated rails 123 and 124 to overhang the rear end of the truckbed. With this structure, when the rails 123 and 124 are in the verticalposition, the bottom ends of the beams 106 are closely adjacent groundlevel for the purpose of engaging the bottom most bale in a verticalstack as illustrated. Each beam 106 includes a longitudinally extendingflange 126 for the purpose of mounting a plurality of bale engagingtines 127 with each tine being clamped to an associated bracket 128carried by the flanges 106. Any suitable means such as a clamping bolt129 shown in FIG. 14 may be used to hold the tines in position.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 14, the tines 127 are so configured as toinclude an outwardly curved portion 131, and inwardly directed arm 132and a bale engaging point 133 designed to pierce the surface of thebale. With this configuration, and lateral movement of the rails 123 and124, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the tines may be caused to engage andpenetrate the bale surface to effectively hold the bales against thebeams 106 and the longitudinal conveyor presently to be described. Asshown in the preferred embodiment, tines 127 may be grouped in pairs soas to engage each hay bale 134.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 12, each of the beam structures 106 is providedwith an independently controllable bale carrier and push arm assemblyindicated generally at 136. Each assembly 136 includes a hydraulic ram137 fixed to the rear end of the beam 106 beneath the flange 126 asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The ram may be welded or bolted in place onthe beam 106 with its extended piston rod 138 passing through and guidedby the end bracket 128 on the opposite end of the beam and functioningas a carrier/pusher arm. The outer ends of the carrier/pusher arms 138are identical and are fitted with bale aligning end caps 139 aspresently to be described. As may be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, thecarrier arms 138 form extensions of the beams 106 which reach beyond theforward ends of the conveyor 107 and rails 123 and 124. With thisarrangement, a fourth bale 141 may be lowered onto the truck bed andpositioned atop the cross bed conveyor 108. With the bales in thehorizontal position as shown in FIG. 11, the push rods 138 are withdrawnallowing the bale 141 to rest on top of the cross bed conveyor 108 readyfor side unloading. In the event that the bale 141, or any subsequentbales 134, require a forward push or aligning with the cross conveyor108, the push rods 138 may be operated independently and, via the endcaps 139, maneuver and align the bale.

[0072] The longitudinal conveyor 107 includes parallel side rails 142which may be rigidly joined at their forward ends by the cross bar 143and an intermediate rigid cross bar 144. Each conveyor side rail iswelded or otherwise rigidly connected to the top surface 114 of thecross beam 104 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The conveyor frame thus pivotsfrom the horizontal to the vertical position along with rails 123 and124. The rear end of the conveyor side rails 142 extend coextensivelywith the bale engaging beams 106 so as to underlie a substantial portionof a bottom bale 134 in a vertical stack as indicated in FIGS. 12 and13. The longitudinal conveyor is an endless chain type conveyor havinglaterally spaced lug chains 146 extending along the inside surfaces ofthe side rails 142. Each chain 146 is trained about a respective drivesprocket carried by a rotatable cross shaft 147 having its endsjournaled for rotation by suitable bearings 148 mounted in the rail 142.The opposite ends of the lug chains 146 may be trained about suitableidler sprockets 149 carried at the opposite ends of the associated siderails. The lug chains 146 are driven by means of a rotary hydraulicmotor 151 mounted on the cross beam 104 through drive gears 152 and 153carried by the motor 151 and the drive shaft 147 respectively. Flexiblehydraulic lines 154 and 156 will allow for relative movement betweenmotor 151 and the truck bed.

[0073] The cross bed conveyor 108 comprises an endless chain 157extending substantially the width of the truck bed 103 at the forwardend thereof. The chain 157 may be driven by any suitable means such as ahydraulic or electric motor 158 located beneath the bed surface with thechain 157 operating at or below bed surface level so as to avoid anyobstruction for the movement of bales thereover. The chain 157 mounts anupstanding paddle or pusher plate 159 attached to a lug plate pulledacross the bed by the chain 157. The pusher plate may be moved the fullwidth of the truck bed with limit switches or the like (not shown)preventing over travel. The motor 158 will be controlled from the cab orfrom a remote location to advance the bale in incremental motion ifdesired toward the edge of the truck bed for distribution. Asaforementioned, the bale is moved forward and aligned by pusher bars 138with the truck head board 161 being a backstop for the end bale.

[0074] According to the preferred embodiment, a sickle-bar bale cut-offdevice, indicated generally at 162, is located on the discharge side ofthe truck bed adjacent the headboard 161. The cut-off device,illustrated in detail in FIG. 19, includes an upstanding conventionalsickle-bar 163 having reciprocating cutter teeth designed to cut throughthe end of a protruding hay bale. The sickle-bar 163 is mounted on atraveling base or support block 164 which is guided for longitudinalmovement in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 19 by means of thechannel iron 166 fixed to the side edge of the bed 103 and provided witha guide slot 167 in its upper surface. The base block 164 is connectedfor reciprocation by the piston rod 168 of the hydraulic cylinder 169 soas to advance and retract the sickle-bar across the bale end. Thecylinder 169 may be mounted in fixed position on the side edge of thebed 103. The sickle-bar 163 may be powered by a remotely controlledhydraulic motor 171 in a well known manner. Since hay bale 134 as shownin FIG. 19 will normally flake off in regular increments as it isadvanced over the edge of the truck bed, the sickle-bar cut-off device162 will only be necessary in those cases when, for some reason such asfreezing temperatures, the bale does not normally separate into flakes.The operator of the vehicle may observe the bale through the truckrearview mirror and simply operate the sickle-bar cut-off whennecessary.

[0075] FIGS. 16-18 illustrates the normal sequence of operationsinvolved in loading a plurality vertically stacked bales, and conveyingthe bales forwardly and transversely on the vehicle bed for range orpasture feeding by a single vehicle and operator. As shown in FIG. 16,the pivoted cross beam 104 will initially be operated to pivot thelaterally movable rails 123, 124, longitudinal conveyor 107 and baleengaging beams 106 to the vertical position. The rails 123 and 124 maythen be moved laterally outwardly to allow the tines 127 to clear thesides of the bales 134. Also the bale carrier/push arms 138 are advancedto the extended position across a substantial portion of the top bale141. The rails 123 and 124 are then drawn inwardly by the rams 121 tocause the tines 127 to penetrate the hay bales. Once the bales are thusengaged, the cross beam 104 is rotated through approximately 90° tolower the stack of bales to the horizontal position on top of bed 103 asshown in FIG. 17. The pusher plate 159 will, of course, be located onthe outside edge of the truck bed while the bales are being lowered.

[0076] With the bales in place on the truck bed, the hydraulic cylinders137 may be actuated to withdraw the arms 138, allowing the forward mostbale 141 to rest directly on the truck bed overlying the chain 157 asillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The forward bale may then be moved offof the bed transversely by selective operation of the motor 158 andmovement of the pusher plate 159. As previously described, once the baleties have been removed from the bale, the hay will normally drop off inregular clumps or flakes as the bale end passes over the edge of thebed. If this does not occur, the operator actuates the hydrauliccylinder 169, and energizes the sickle-bar drive motor 171 causing thesickle-bar 163 to traverse the bale to perform the cut-off function asdescribed. With the ability to operate the push plate 159 by selectedincremental movements as the truck progresses across a field, the haymay be discharged in spaced piles ideal for cattle feeding and avoidingthe waste problem experienced with unrolling a round bale. As the frontbale becomes totally discharged, the pusher plate 159 will be returnedto the position shown in FIG. 18 and the conveyor 107 actuated to movethe next successive bale 134 to the forward position atop the cross bedconveyor. With each successive bale, each push arm 138 may be actuatedindependently to complete the forward movement and alignment of thesuccessive bales.

[0077]FIG. 20 illustrates a second embodiment of the bale cut-off devicewhich comprises an upstanding rotary cut-off blade 172 mounted on thetruck bed 103 at the forward end of the bed on the discharge side of thecross bed conveyor 108. The blade 172 may be of any desiredconfiguration, normally including a forward cutting edge 173 designed tocontact and remove a segment of the hay bale extending over the edge ofthe bed 103. The blade 172 will be mounted on a rotary shaft 174 drivenby motor means (not shown) carried beneath the bed 103 in a conventionalmanner. The motor driven shaft 174 will rotate the knife 172 throughapproximately 90° arc in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 20 toaccomplish the cut-off function. The advancement and discharge of thebale will be accomplished as previously described.

[0078]FIG. 21 illustrates still another embodiment of bale cut-offdevice in the form of a ram shear. The device comprises a hydrauliccylinder 176 mounted on the discharge side of the forward end of thetruck bed. The ram 176 may be mounted at an angle, the top end of thecylinder being closely adjacent the edge of the bale which has beenadvanced to the discharge position overhanging the truck bed. Ram 176has a piston rod in the form of a plunger 177 directed at an approximate45° angle. When the plunger 177 is actuated, as shown schematically inFIG. 21, the bale will be severed sufficiently to cause separation ofthe overhanging segment of the bale. The advancing and discharging ofthe bale may be otherwise accomplished as previously described.

[0079]FIG. 22 illustrates a method whereby the longitudinal conveyorframe 107 and the bale engaging beams 106 with their attached tines maybe removed from the truck bed for storage purposes and to clear the bedfor possible other use. With this arrangement, the procedure would be toraise the side rails 123, 124, longitudinal conveyor 107 and beams 106to a vertical position by rotation of the cross beam 104. The forwardends of the conveyor side rails 142 and the forward ends of the beams106 would be connected by a suitable cross bar 178 to pivotally linkthese members. The conveyor side rails 142 would then be disconnectedfrom the cross bar 104, allowing the conveyor frame 107 to pivotoutwardly away from the cross beam. The two beams 106 would then bedisconnected from the respective rails 123 and 124 and dropped to theground forming an A-frame as illustrated in FIG. 22. A stabilizingconnector 179 would then be connected between the conveyor rails 142 andthe beams 106 to stabilize the A-frame structure. The rails 123 and 124could then be returned to the horizontal position on top of the flat bedallowing the bed to be put to an alternative use.

[0080]FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an embodiment of the present systemdesigned for a large capacity flat bed vehicle capable of carrying, forinstance, eight 32×48 inch bales or four eight foot long 45×50 inchbales. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is designed to load anddischarge six eight foot long 32×48 inch bales from the extended flatbed 181. In this embodiment, it will be understood that the balegripping beams, laterally adjustable rails 123, 124 as well as thelongitudinal conveyor 107 will function in a manner described relativeto FIGS. 11-18 embodiment and will all be connected to a cross beam 104a pivotally connected to the rear end of the truck bed 181. The baleengaging beams are designated at 106 a in FIGS. 23 and 24 with the tinesbeing indicated at 127 a. The tine placement will be according to thediscussion of the previous embodiment. Likewise carrier/pusher arms 138a will be connected to the beams 106 a in a manner previously described.In this embodiment, the longitudinal conveyor, laterally movable rails123, 124 and the beams 106 a are raised and lowered about a horizontalaxis provided by cross bar 104 a by means of a compound hydraulic ram182 as shown which is pivotally connected between the conveyor and beamframe and the chassis or bed 181 of the truck. As indicated, the ram 182will move the frame from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 23 to thebale pickup position shown in FIG. 24 and return the bales to the bed ofthe truck with the forward most bale 183 positioned on a cross bedconveyor as previously described. The carrier/push arms 138 a and thecross bed conveyor will function in the same manner described relativeto the previous embodiments. In addition to the hay bale loading andunloading system, provision may be made for mounting a grain feederabove the truck bed, indicated schematically at 184, to feed grainsimultaneously with the discharged hay.

[0081]FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate another embodiment of the inventionwherein a unitary frame structure 186 may be assembled to include acentral longitudinal conveyor, laterally movable side rails and baleengaging beams in the manner described for the FIGS. 23, 24 embodimentincluding carrier/push arms 138 b for attachment to a smaller sizewheeled vehicle. In this embodiment the frame 186 may be removed andmounted on an alternative vehicle such as front end loader. The frame186 in the embodiment of FIG. 25 is raised and lowered by a separatehydraulic ram 187 pivotally connected between the truck chassis and theframe as described relative to the FIGS. 23, 24 embodiment. In thealternative, as shown in FIG. 26, the frame 186 may be mounted on arotatable cross beam 104 b as described relative to the FIGS. 11-18embodiment.

[0082] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have beendescribed herein it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptionand accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration andexample. Variations in design and arrangement of parts may be madewithout departure from the scope and spirit of the present invention.For example, electrical or pneumatic motor means or manual operatedmeans may be substituted for the various hydraulic motor means describedor a combination of electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic motor means andmanual operation may be utilized to perform the various operationsdescribed. Similarly, in its broadest scope, the invention alsocontemplates structural modifications whereby the longitudinal conveyormay be maintained in the horizontal position while the bale stack isbeing engaged and moved to the horizontal position. Likewise, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to any particular typeof motor vehicle, trailer or other conveyance. Changes in form of theseveral parts, substitution of equivalent elements and arrangement ofparts which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are alsocontemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is tobe limited only by the claims which follow.

1. Apparatus for use with a transport vehicle to load, transfer, andunload bales of hay or straw and the like, said vehicle including avehicle support frame, said apparatus comprising; a longitudinallyextending conveyor system supported on said frame for moving baleslongitudinally on said vehicle, bale engaging tine structures mountedalong the lateral extent of said longitudinal conveyor system on bothsides thereof, each said tine structures including a plurality of baleengaging tines spaced along said longitudinal conveyor and movablebetween a retracted position to a bale engaging position, means forselectively moving said tine structures between a horizontal position onsaid vehicle frame and a vertical bale stack engaging position, andmeans for selectively moving said tines between the retracted positionand the bale engaging position, whereby said tine structures may bemoved to a substantially vertical position against a stack of aplurality of bales, said tines then moved into engagement with the balesto secure the bales, the bales then moved to a horizontal position andthe tines retracted, allowing said bales to be conveyed longitudinallyby said conveyor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidlongitudinally extending conveyor has a forward and aft end relative tothe direction of travel of said support frame, said apparatus furtherincluding; a transverse conveyor system located adjacent the forward endof said longitudinal conveyor and adapted and arranged to receive balesadvanced thereon by said longitudinal conveyor, and means to selectivelyoperate said transverse conveyor to incrementally discharge the baleslaterally from a discharge end thereof to one side of said vehicle whilethe vehicle moves in a forward direction to distribute the hay from thebale in spaced piles.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 including; balecut-off mechanism carried by said vehicle frame adjacent the dischargeend of said transverse conveyor, said cut-off mechanism having aseparator member for contacting a bale being discharged to ensureincremental separation thereof during discharge to form said spacedpiles.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said separator membercomprises a motor driven sickle-bar.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 whereinsaid separator member comprises a motor driven rotary cut-off blade. 6.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said separator member comprises a fluidpressure driven ram shear member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinsaid support frame comprises a vehicle chassis and further including; aflatbed support structure pivotally mounted on said chassis for movementbetween a horizontal and substantially vertical position; saidlongitudinal conveyor, said transverse conveyor and said tine structuresbeing mounted on said flatbed support for movement therewith between thehorizontal and vertical positions.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein;said flatbed has a top load supporting surface, said longitudinalconveyor, said transverse conveyor and said tine structures are mountedbeneath said top surface, and openings in said flatbed constructed andarranged to expose said conveyors for contacting bales resting on saidload supporting surface and to allow passage of said bale engaging tinesduring movement from the retracted to the bale engaging position.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein said tine structures comprise; parallelrotary tine shafts positioned on each side of said longitudinal conveyorsystem, motor means for selectively rotating said shafts, and mountingstructures for connecting said tines to the tine shafts, whereby saidtines are moved through an arcuate path between the retracted positionand the bale engaging position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein,said support frame includes a flatbed support structure; a longitudinalconveyor frame having an aft end cross beam pivotally connected to theaft end of said flatbed support structure for moving said conveyor framebetween a horizontal position resting on said flatbed support surfaceand a substantially vertical position, said longitudinal conveyor systembeing carried by said conveyor frame for movement therewith, said tinestructures being connected to said cross beam for movement with saidconveyor frame, and motor means for selectively rotating said cross beamto move said conveyor frame and said tine structures between thehorizontal and vertical positions; said transverse conveyor beingmounted on said flatbed support structures.
 11. The apparatus of claim10 wherein said tine structures are mounted for lateral movement betweenthe retracted position and the bale engaging position.
 12. Apparatus foruse with a transport vehicle to load, transfer, and unload large balesof hay or straw and the like of a size generally incapable of beinghandled and maneuvered by a single person, said vehicle including avehicle support frame, said apparatus comprising; a flatbed supportstructure having a top load supporting surface, a forward and an aftend, said aft end being pivotally connected to said vehicle supportframe for movement of said flatbed structure between a horizontalhauling position and a generally vertical bale stack engaging position,motor means for selectively moving said flatbed between the horizontaland vertical positions, a longitudinal conveyor system carried by saidflatbed support structure and extending over a major portion thereof andlocated beneath the top load supporting surface, motor means forselectively operating said longitudinal conveyor system, bale engagingtine structures carried on said flatbed support beneath said top loadsupporting surface, said tine structures including rotatable tinesupporting shafts extending along each side of said longitudinalconveyor, said tine structures including bale engaging tines spacedalong each said tine supporting shafts and movable between a retractedposition to a bale engaging position upon rotation of said shafts, motormeans for selectively rotating said tine supporting shafts; and openingsin said flatbed constructed and arranged to expose said longitudinalconveyor system and to allow passage of said bale engaging tines duringmovement between the retracted and bale engaging positions.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 including; a cross-bed conveyor system locatedadjacent the forward end of said longitudinal conveyor system extendingthe major width of said flatbed and located beneath the top loadsupporting surface thereof, and motor means for selectively operatingsaid cross-bed conveyor system.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 whereinsaid longitudinal conveyor system includes a drive shaft locatedadjacent the aft end of said flatbed, said apparatus further including aconveyor and tine structure extension comprising; an extension framemounted for free rotation on said drive shaft and normally disposed in avertical position, a longitudinal conveyor extension carried by saidextension frame and drivingly connected for rotation by said driveshaft, tine mounting shaft extensions rotatably carried on saidextension frame in alignment with said tine mounting shafts when saidflatbed is in the vertical position, a plurality of bale engaging tinesfixed to each said shaft extensions, first coupling means for rigidlyconnecting said extension frame to said flatbed, and second couplingmeans for connecting said tine mounting shafts to said tine shaftextensions for rotation therewith.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 whereinsaid longitudinal conveyor system and said cross-bed conveyor systemscomprise endless conveyors having spaced conveyor chains.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 13 including; bale cut-off mechanism carried by saidflatbed support structure adjacent the discharge end of said cross-bedconveyor, said cut-off mechanism having a separator for contacting abale being discharged to ensure incremental separation thereof duringdischarge, and motor means for selectively actuating said cut-ofmechanism to form spaced hay piles as the vehicle moves forward. 17.Apparatus for use with a transport vehicle to load, transfer, and unloadlarge bales of hay or straw and the like of a size generally incapableof being handled and maneuvered by a single person, said vehicleincluding a flatbed support with a forward and aft end, said apparatuscomprising; a longitudinal conveyor frame having an aft end cross beampivotally connected to the aft end of said flatbed for moving saidconveyor frame between a horizontal position resting on said flatbed anda substantially vertical bale stack engaging position, motor means forselectively rotating said cross beam to move the frame between thehorizontal and vertical positions, a longitudinal conveyor systemmounted on said frame and extending the major longitudinal extent ofsaid flatbed, motor means for selectively actuating said longitudinalconveyor, longitudinally extending tine beams located on each side ofsaid longitudinal conveyor system and having their aft ends connectedfor rotation with said cross beam, motor means carried by said crossbeam for laterally moving said tine beams relative to said conveyorbetween a retracted position and a bale engaging position, and aplurality of spaced tines connected to each said tine beams for engagingand holding a plurality of hay bales against said conveyor frame duringmovement of the frame to the horizontal position.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 including; a cross-bed conveyor system mounted on said flatbedand located adjacent the forward end of said conveyor frame and adaptedand arranged to receive bales advanced thereon by said longitudinalconveyor system, and motor means to selectively operate said cross-bedconveyor to incrementally discharge a bale carried thereon laterallyfrom a discharge end thereof to one side of said vehicle while thevehicle moves in a forward direction to distribute hay from said bale inspaced piles.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said longitudinaland said cross-bed conveyors are endless conveyors having spacedconveyor chains.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 including extensiblepusher arms mounted adjacent said tine beams for engaging a hay bale atan elevation above said conveyor frame when in the vertical position,said pusher arms being extensible and retractable for positioning baleson said flatbed over said cross-bed conveyor, and motor means forselectively extending and retracting said pusher arms.
 21. The apparatusof claim 20 including; bale cut-off mechanism carried by said flatbedadjacent the discharge end of said cross-bed conveyor, said cut-offmechanism having a separator for contacting a bale being discharged toensure incremental separation thereof during discharge, and motor meansfor selectively actuating said cut-off means to form spaced hay piles asthe vehicle moves forward.
 22. A method of loading, transporting andunloading large bales of hay or straw and the like of a size generallyincapable of being handled and maneuvered by a single person comprisingthe steps of; moving a vehicle mounted support apparatus to asubstantially vertical position, moving the vertically disposed supportapparatus against a vertical stack of a plurality of bales, engagingsaid bales with tine structures carried on said apparatus to hold thebales thereagainst, moving said support apparatus to a generallyhorizontal position resting on said vehicle.
 23. The method according toclaim 22 including the further steps of; releasing said tine structures,conveying said bales forwardly on said vehicle, and conveyingconsecutive bales in a lateral direction off the vehicle as the vehicleis moved forwardly.
 24. The method of claim 22 including the furthersteps of; transporting said bales to a second location and reversingsaid process steps to restack said bales.